We were in New York City this week providing an integrative strategic planning session with a client, and the question of social media came up when discussing their branding and client acquisition goals.
These clients have a very successful, 14 year business history and are positioning for high-growth and ultimately an exit strategy. Each partner (there are three) had a significant career in healthcare prior to beginning their business 14 years ago. That said, it is fair to say that they are boomers and a mature company.
Technology and social media (networking) tends to be easy and come quick for younger people as they have grown up with it and clearly, younger business people have an advantage here. The fact that our clients have never used social networking for their business represented their concerns at varied levels, predominantly unfamiliarity and privacy(referencing the dangers of social media). This is something we see commonly in small businesses and particularly with more mature people.
We strongly believe that electronic and virtual presence is the way to the future. And the internet is the predominant means. Think about the tremendous opportunity you can be missing if you are not in the game, and especially if you want to grow your business.
So, we offer some quick tips on understanding the risks of social media, then value of doing so for you/your business.
1. First, understand the impact and mitigate the worry. What you post through social media does “get out there” andimmediately becomes public, so do not share any confidential information. (A risk we see is thatyounger people often share the intimate details of their lives – and confidentiality is defined differently by them. Unfortunately this can create some trouble for them.) Remember this: what you post is representative of you and your business; and, you do not have to include personal details and private information. You have the control here.
2. Secondly, know the key benefits. Social networks are effectively used tohelp reconnect to and buildrelationships, and to establish a“brand” for you/your company. It is a great tool to help you become more quickly recognized for an area of expertise, and easily works to build your repute, even globally if you wish.
3. Thirdly, recognizing the potential risks and understanding the benefits – as you move forward with a social media strategy for your business, consider:
• Posting on more than one site (i.e. LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)
• Post frequently so that you begin to establish a presence and a recognition
• Post information relevant for the advancement of your business
• Post information that can and will benefit the readers
• Respond thoughtfully to other posts
4. Lastly, don’t be overwhelmed if you don’t know where to start and what to do. There are plenty technology folks that are here to help. And if you want a lead, just let us know. We are confident it will pay off for you.
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Tags: Quick Tips: The Value of Social Media for Your Business
